Friends of Music support the musical happenings of First Congregational Church (Saginaw, MI). Members are music enthusiasts from the congregation and/or community at large -- members are aficionados of the pipe organ, choral music, chamber music, and the like. The church, which dates to 1868, is acoustically superb. The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and has recognized excellence and eclecticism in its musical offerings since the 1800’s.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Lessons and carols have been part of the candlelight service at First Congregational Church for several decades.The Chancel Choir, directed by Nicholas Schmelter, will lead the singing of hymns and carols.First Congregational Church warmly welcomes guest flutist Robert Hart, who will collaborate with the choir and perform music of the Baroque.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

A second 12:15 p.m. organ recitals is scheduled to take place Friday, December 16, at First Congregational Church in downtown Saginaw, Michigan.

Nicholas Schmelter, Director of Music Ministries, will present the second Advent recital on Friday, December 16.He will perform arrangements of beloved French noëls by 20th-century composers Marcel Courtonne and Henri Busser. The program will also include a work by Marcel Dupré seldom heard in its entirety, Six Antiennes Pour le Temps de Noël, Opus 48.

This performance is sponsored by the Friends of Music, who support the musical happenings of First Congregational Church.Free-will contributions of guests will assist with the costly maintenance of the sanctuary’s historic organ.

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Chancel Choir of First Congregational Church announces its 2011 Choral Scholar, Rachel DeShone.

The scholarship program was initiated earlier in 2011 to offer male and female students, who obtain admission to one of the colleges or universities in the Saginaw vicinity and for whom it would otherwise be a hardship to acquire a higher education, the opportunity to achieve financial assistance and to take part in the choral services and Chancel Choir rehearsals at First Congregational Church.Thus, choral scholars are provided the opportunity to develop technically and share in a positive experience of fellowship and community service.

Rachel DeShone is a vocal major studying Music Education at Saginaw Valley State University.She has studied privately for two years with Dr. Rachel Andrews.DeShone has been active in choirs for many years including the women’s choir at Dr. Martin Luther College (New Ulm, MN), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education.She was a part of the recent opera production Dido and Aeneas at SVSU and participated in musicals while in high school.Rachel is a proud mother of three children, Samantha (9), Seth (7), and Solomon (3).

The church’s music department anticipates offering four $750 Choral Scholarships in September 2012. Preference will be given to those qualified applicants who pursue music; it is emphasized that funds enable a student to commence an education. Scholarships only remain secured on the condition that the holder retains his or her academic place for the duration of the scholarship. Candidates are advised to check in advance with the Director of Music Ministries for possible vacancies in their particular vocal range.

Follow by Email

Search This Blog

First Congregational Church is one of the finest facilities for music and musical outreach in the region. The sanctuary boasts an organ built by the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston (1929) restored and enlarged by Scott Smith Pipe Organs (2014). The chapel houses an unaltered two-manual, nine rank pipe organ, built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc. (Opus 1327). Among other instruments First Congregational Church houses two Steinway pianos, two harpsichords, six octaves of handbells, and dozens of recorders, percussion instruments, and Orff instruments.